Jose, Brock added; Blue, Deitrick depart
July 13, 2007 by Jason Guarente
The Barnstormers have signed former major leaguers Felix Jose and Chris Brock. They will be with the team when it opens the second half in York tonight.
To make room for the new additions, Lancaster sent outfielder Vince Blue to Bridgeport and placed catcher Jeremy Deitrick on the inactive list.
Jose, 42, was an All-Star in the big leagues with the Cardinals and spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors. The switch-hitting outfielder is a lifetime .280 hitter at that level. According to the Howe database, Jose has not played professionally since 2005 — when he batted .375 in 105 games in the Mexican League. He also won the Atlantic League batting title with the Nashua Pride in 1998.
Brock, 37, appeared in 148 games in the majors, going 18-17 with a 4,81 ERA. The right-handed pitcher had his best season with the Phillies in 2000. Brock last appeared in affiliated ball with Triple-A Durham in 2005.
“These two guys bring big-league experience to our club, and they meet two important needs for us—another bat with some pop in our lineup and a solid righty in our bullpen,” Barnstormers manager Frank Klebe said in a team statement. “We’re starting the second half with the same record as everyone else and we expect to be in this playoff race the very end.”
OK. The Felix Jose I remember isn’t quite as old as Julio Franco, but almost. Where has he been playing lately?
And Wow, you got the answers before I finish the question. Awesome.
Just when I start liking a guy, he’s history. Guess the strike outs were just too many.
Honestly, I won’t really miss Blue. I never met the man but I can’t say that I was thrilled with his performance here, nor was he here that long. As far as Deitrick…well, he wasn’t the greatest hitter or catcher but I had to admire the man’s tenacity and that he came out of retirement when we really needed help.
So we have two new guys that look good on paper. I hope that transfers to the field, also. Maybe it’ll be an interesting night…I’ll be listening.
cardinals? some one must be happy. at least they are making a move. going with age and experience over new and inexprienced. better get the ben-gay out.
I’m surprised there wasn’t more reaction to this news.
I think Jose could make an impact. The guy batted .375 in Mexico two years ago, so unless he falls off a cliff he should be able to put up numbers in this league.
Brock could deep the bullpen, which isn’t exciting but is essential. I have a hunch the long-term outlook for Brock is in the rotation — if he proves himself.
Also, I think sending Blue away was a mistake.
Sending Blue away - Franks decision or BASA?
I can’t complain about these 2 guys. ignoring the fact they haven’t played in a while, those are some terrific numbers they’re bringing to the team.
Jose actually played in Korea the past two seasons. He was released by his Korean team about 10 days ago. So he’s game ready.
Sending Blue away was a playing time decision. He should really be in the lineup every day and I guess that wasn’t going to happen here.
I am not sure how I feel about these new players. I have mix feeling about them right now. I don’t understand why we keep getting players that have not played in a long time. Can’t we get people that were cut this year or at least played last year. Also, I don’t like that Jose is 42 and last played in 2005. I don’t think he puts up near the numbers he did before. I agree with you Jason about Blue. I don’t think we gave him enough time.
Also, is Frank going with 13 pitchers or do they plan on cutting one very soon? I think there is a couple of guys in the bullpen that should not be there but I think we can do ok with 12 pitchers. I like to get another infielder and not that 13th pitcher.
Again, just to update the above story, Jose was in Korea the past two seasons. So he was active. Korean stats don’t show up in the Howe database.
I can’t imagine the Barnstormers will stick with 13 pitchers very long. It’s not practical.
Jason.. do you know what Korean team he played for. I was going to look up his stats if they are still there. I have the web site for the Korean league but it takes a little bit of time for me to find what I need because I don’t know Korean and it is slow going to figure out where everything is. Something tells me I heard he played for the Hyundai Unicorns but I may be dead wrong on this.
I Know. Very few teams ever have 13 pitchers. Most teams have 12 and some only have 11 on their roster. Why keep Odom. I would have kept Blue but maybe, like you said, playing time was going to be a problem.
Sorry, James, I didn’t ask Felix what Korean team. I probably should have. He said he was limited to around 22 games by injury this season and he only had one home run.
It is ok.. Not a big deal. I told you that baseball is my life. Pretty bad when I know the Korean and Japan teams also.
I had noticed that Blue was starting to come around and was looking more confident but if the new guy can hit the field running, and it sounds plausible, we’ll be one up than with Blue, in my opinion. Time will tell, all I can do is trust that management knows what they’re doing.
Speaking of biting your lip until it bleeds, I wonder if Albert bit through his tonight? No one should have to lose to Philly by 10.
PTW: Yeah, that is pretty bad. Wait until the Chinese start playing serious baseball. Then you’ll have your work cut out for you.
I knew a person who played in Korea and Japan and he loved Japan but hated Korea. Never really ask him what was the difference of the two for him to feel that way.
The beauty of covering the Barnstormers so much is I can pretend this Cardinals season isn’t happening. Besides, if I get down, I’ll just watch that 2006 World Series DVD.
James,
Did you check the Lotte Giants?
Japan is a great country and they love us over there. Korea not so much.
I watch the 2004 DVD
LOL…yeah, I hear ya, Jason. My son followed the Cards and last fall he was so happy. And somewhat vindicted.
He’s not down about it this year, he’s just not really following anymore. That’s one thing about Nats…yeah, they suck, but there’s nowhere to go but up! And as was mentioned on another page, you can’t beat the president races.
I saw the last game of the World Series last year from my office in Tokyo and it was awesome. I went in early to watch on their big screen TV figuring I could get in like 90 minutes before people showed up and I’d have to work. Nope….to a man, the entire office was already there when I got in and we watched until the end of the game.
Jason.. no I will check them out and see.
My low point as a Cardinals fan came when they didn’t reach the World Series in 2005. The team was coming off back-to-back 100-win seasons and still didn’t win a title. Plus, the stars were getting older and you could see the end of the playoff run was near. And I was getting older and could no longer justify having ridiculous mood swings based on how a baseball team performed.
The 2006 season was miserable. The Cards had three losing streaks of seven games or longer and had no business being in the playoffs. When they won it all, I figured it was some kind of karmic payback for 2004 and 2005. While they didn’t deserve to be the champs, I gladly accepted it.
Here is what I found on the Lotte Giants …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Giants
Try This Site it has a history on Felix Jose
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Felix_Jose
Jose’s 2006 stats in Korea (122 games for Lotte):
.277 … 22 homers … 78 RBIs … .399 on-base
Let’s hope he hits the ground running!
I guess Milt Cuyler wasn’t available?
Milt Cuyler? He won’t make my all-time Tiger team. Actually he’s a couple years younger than Jose. But give Milt his due. He knew when it was time to retire.
Hey Play to Win…you said you played minor league ball…how old are you?? If you are 42 or there about, we may have a spot for you –if Jose doesnt work out.
Packmule…I am 33. I was drafted out of high school by Cincinnati in the 47th round. I played almost two year in their system. I played Rookie ball my first year and then Single A the next year. I was then traded in a minor league deal to Houston (dream come true for me because Houston was my favorite team). I play for about 2 1/2 years and played mostly Single A but did play for about 3 weeks in Double A in the middle of my time in the Houston system. I left the game because of some health problems. I have also done some scouting at the high school level for Houston since I left the game. I scouted New Mexico and some of Arizona. I then started scouting south Texas. I stop scouting (may try to get back into it later) about 5 years ago and four years ago moved up here (Wife is from here and she wanted to move back real bad). It was tough to move up here for me but I really like it up here and it made her very happy.
I thought about making a comeback but I am so out of shape it is not funny. I ballooned up (got fat) real bad. That is what happens when you play all your childhood and young adult life and then just stop and not stay in shape. Maybe I can play for the Barnstormers
PtW - where do you live?
Cuz I could use you to teah some fundamentals to my little league team
Play to Win…thanks for the bio. Hey, you never know. How about the movie, the Rookie. Ok, it was Disney.
I never made it passed Little League. Got to play my last year full time when first string got hurt. But baseball was great back then. Get up, grab the glove and go to the playground. Sun set, time to go home.
Did baseball every get to be a job with you?? It seems like because it is a livelihood for players in the Majors. It stops being fun and they dont enjoy being where they are. (My opinion from being at the games and seeing no interaction with the common fan.) Probably the major reason I like the independent leagues the best.
Scottie…I live in Lancaster twp but real close to Millersville. I have no problem with that. I can get with you later if you still want me to do that. I love helping out the kids. That is the future of baseball.
Packmule…No it did not get to be a job for me. Maybe if I made it to the majors but I just loved to play the game and was just happy to still be playing. I do think if I could do it all over again, I would have gone to college first and see if it would have helped me. I just was not real good in school. I am the world’s worst speller and was never real good in english class either. I did good at history and math. I had offers (none of them were full rides because they don’t offer full rides in college baseball very much) to Baylor, Sam Houston St, New Mexico, New Mexico St, and Wyoming (They no longer have baseball). I also had some D-2 offers. That is the one thing I wish I would have change but then I may not have played much pro ball because of the health problems.
PTW…I hope your health problems are in the past. Thanks for the insight. I think we have regrets about what if…… Hope you chose the wisest option.
PtW - is this your draft?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1992&round=47&draft_type=junreg
Packmule.. I am pretty much over my health problem I had but what it did was make me gain weight. I was in shape (maybe not great shape but at least baseball shape) and then I did not have much energy when I was having the problems. I gain about 130lbs in about 3 years. I have lost about 60lbs but still fat. I am slowly losing the weight and getting into better shape.
Yes, we all have regrets but there is a reason for everything. I really love the scouting part of baseball. That is why I may get back into scouting. You will see me at many high school games in early spring. I also get so use to watching high school baseball that you sometimes will see me at other high school sports just for the fun of it. Also, when I was in scouting I did a lot of travel. You spend the who high school season watching kids and then in the summer, you are all over the country at these different types of tournaments. Don’t get to see as many pro games when you are scouting but you can still see a few as a fan.
So you were a scout for the Astros for a living?????? What level is your favorite to watch???
yes. I was a amateur scout for the Astros for a living (some what of a living). Pay is not great at all but your travel expenses are also covered so it is not as bad as it could be. Are you asking what level I scouted or just watch as a fan. I scouted the high school level. The scouting chain is a little bit hard to explain. You have amateur and Professional scouts. Professional scouts scout players already in the majors, minors, and any other type of pro ball. I don’t know as much about the Professional side as I do the amateur side. When it comes to the amateur side of scouting, the first level is usually made up of high school coaches. Not every high school coach is a scout. The Houston origination has so many high school coaches that they pay to help us other scouts out. Their pay is not good at all but they sometimes are the most important. Then there is local roaming scouts. These are called area scouts. That is what I was. I first started scouting New Mexico and some of Arizona. Then I started scouting south Texas. Houston had three area scouts for south Texas for high school kids. We would get together and then make reports and send them the a bigger regional scout or even the scouting director himself. Sometimes they would send another scout or they come and look at a player themselves. I almost never had a say in who would be drafted or who would work with a kid. This was done by scouts above me. Sometimes, you will read about a player and it will state that he was signed by so and so scout. They usually will be the scout above me even though I did help sign a couple of players. No, I never sign a big name player. This setup is pretty much the same with college except less scouts are needed and some scouts scout both high school and college. I only scouted high school.
BTW: There is also international scouts but don’t ask me how that is setup because I don’t know.
you haven’t officially scouted around here, but what’s your general thoughts of high school talent here as opposed to Texas/Arizona?
Felix Jose was actually released back in the beginning of May from the Lotte Giants. He was injured and had an Achilles tendon injury on his left foot.
During his time in Korea, he was an All-Star and hit more than 30 HR’s in two different seasons. But in 2007, he was struggling and then released in May.
When I get more time, I’ll post up his KBO career stats. As for playing in Korea. A lot of the foreign players have high expectations from the club and fans because of their salary (usually 200K or more), so when they aren’t producing…they are quick to be released and/or hear it from the fans and management.
Mr. Barnstormer,
what do you mean they love ya in Japan but not in Korea?
Scottie… To be honest with you, it is a lot better down in Texas and even Arizona than up here. When I first moved up here I was not expecting much when it came to talent at the high school level and I was wrong. It was better than I thought it would be (lot better) but it still is not close to Texas or Arizona. I truly feel the best high school baseball in this country is played in the Houston area. I think California is the best if you look at the state as a whole (Texas or Florida next) but for just an area in this country, nobody can beat the Houston area. Also, San Antonio is getting better and there is some good talent in the very southern part of the state. Again, this state is a lot better than I thought it would be. You see kids that can do real well up here and many of them are getting drafted. You just don’t have as many good kids as down south and also there is not a lot of middle level type talent in this state. What that means is that while this state has some real good ballplayers, there is a big drop off in the talent after you get though the top of the talent in this state (hope you understand what I am trying to say here). The problem I see is that most kids don’t play year round like they can down south. I like to see more Select teams up here and then have the kids go down south for the summer. Also, I know weather has a lot to say about this but I like to see the kids play more games during the high school season. A kid in Houston will play 30-40 high school games a year (if not more). Then in the summer he will play another 40-50 games. Then some will play fall ball and you can add another 15-30 games That is 85-120 games a year. Up here you may play 25 games if you make it far in the playoffs and then another 15-25 games in the summer. That is only around 50 games at the most. I feel they should start the high school season about 2 weeks earlier. With the two weeks ealier start and maybe add one or two more games somewhere else in the season, you can add close to 10 games a year. I don’t think you can add much more with the weather up here. Again, I then would like to see the kids go down south to play a lot more games in the summer. This would help a lot. Sorry for this being so long.
no problem with being long - i asked the question and it’s intersting information.
I never really thought of PA as being a hotbed for baseball talent. I don’t have any facts to back it up - just more of a feeling. In high school, much more of an emphasis is placed on football (and to a degree, basketball). Now, if you came up here and said Texas and Arizona are better football producers, then we’d have a problem
The weather is an intersting take on the issue. It never occured to me that we play significantly fewer games because of shortened seasons due to the weather. But certainly - football (again) can’t be discounted. As almost anyone who’s any good at sports is now gearing up for the gridiron after having recently hung up their lumber and cleats.